According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, one of the Ministers of Agricultural and Rural Department has informed about Avian Influenza or Bird Flu in 18 states.

322 poultry farms have been affected by the bird flu.

In Ibadan, there was a two day refresher training course on Avian Influenza prevention and contamination for federal state epidemiology officers.

The highest number of farms infected is at Kano with number reaching 156, followed by Pleateau 82, Bauchi 19 and Kaduna 14.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with the federal government to organize training workshop and capacity building to officers in an effort to contain the disease. There are 160 participants in the workshop.

Adesena disclosed that the resurgence of the disease affected poultry at the point of time when the country was becoming self-sufficient in poultry and its products, with all the possibility of exports to the ECOWAS sub-region.

He further added that we are facing similar fate as the one in February 2006 to July 2008 when we were at the point that the country will become self sufficient in poultry, bird flu affected the farms.

“The outbreak affected poultry farms in 25 states and the FCT that led to depopulation of more than 1.2 million birds, destruction of 118, 183 eggs and payment of the sum of N631 million as compensation.”

The strategy is to contain the disease without creating any unnecessary panic said the minister.